Resort Day Passes in Grenada: How They Work and What to Check

A resort day pass lets non-guests spend a day at a hotel, usually with access to the pool, beach loungers, restaurants and drinks. In Grenada, day passes appeal to cruise passengers with a few hours ashore, to visitors staying in villas or guesthouses who want a resort day, and to residents looking for a treat.

Availability varies considerably. Some resorts sell passes regularly, some only at quiet times, and some do not offer them at all. Large all-inclusive resorts have at times offered passes covering food and drinks, while smaller hotels may sell lounger and pool access with a food and drink credit. Prices, inclusions and rules change, and on busy days passes can sell out or be withdrawn.

This guide explains how day passes typically work on the island, what to check before buying and the alternatives that often deliver much of the experience for less.

What a day pass usually includes

At an all-inclusive resort, a day pass, where offered, usually mirrors a guest's package for a set period, often from mid-morning to late afternoon. It typically covers food at designated restaurants or buffets, drinks at the bars, use of the pools and beach facilities, and non-motorised water sports. Some resorts offer evening passes covering dinner, drinks and entertainment. Premium restaurants, spa treatments and motorised activities are usually excluded, just as for guests in the standard category.

At room-only and smaller hotels, day passes tend to be simpler: access to the pool and loungers, towels and perhaps a changing room or shower, often combined with a food and drink credit that can be spent at the hotel's bar and restaurant. Some hotels simply allow non-guests to use their facilities if they eat lunch at the restaurant. Prices for passes are typically set per adult, with different rates or restrictions for children, and can be substantial at the top resorts. Always confirm what the price covers before booking.

Rules and restrictions to expect

Advance booking. Many resorts require passes to be booked ahead, sometimes online, and may cap numbers to protect guests' experience.

Age limits. Adults-only resorts, including Sandals properties, only admit adults on day passes. Family resorts may set separate rules for children.

Identification. Photo ID is commonly required on arrival, and a wristband issued to show you have paid.

Timing. Passes have fixed start and end times. Arriving late rarely brings a discount, and staying beyond the end time may incur a charge.

Withdrawal at busy times. At high occupancy, during major holidays or on peak cruise days, resorts may stop selling passes altogether.

Dress codes. Restaurant dress codes apply to day guests too, especially for any evening pass.

Area limits. Day guests may be restricted to certain pools, restaurants or beach areas, with quieter zones or upgraded-tier facilities kept for staying guests. Ask which parts of the resort the pass covers.

Refund terms. Passes are often non-refundable or refundable only with notice. Check what happens if bad weather sets in, as some resorts offer a rain check and others do not.

Day passes for cruise passengers

Cruise passengers are a major market for day passes in Grenada. Ships dock at the cruise terminal in St George's, and Grand Anse, the beaches near Point Salines and Morne Rouge are all within a short taxi ride. Some cruise lines sell resort day passes as excursions, which include transfers and a guaranteed return to the ship in time for departure, a significant advantage given the consequences of missing the sailing.

Booking independently is often possible and can be cheaper, but leaves the timing to you. Allow plenty of time for the return trip, as traffic between Grand Anse and St George's can slow on busy days, and confirm with your taxi driver when they will collect you. On days when several large ships are in port, passes at popular resorts may sell out early, so book well in advance if a specific resort matters. Remember that the ship's all-aboard time, not the departure time, is the deadline.

Is a day pass worth it?

A day pass is worth considering when you want the full resort experience for a day: loungers, shade, a pool, food and drinks without paying for each separately, and facilities such as showers and toilets. For cruise passengers, it removes the hassle of finding somewhere to eat and sit on the beach. For villa guests, it can make a pleasant change, particularly on a special occasion.

It is less worthwhile if you mainly want the beach. All beaches in Grenada are public, so you can swim and sit on the sand in front of any resort without paying, and beach bars on Grand Anse and Morne Rouge rent loungers and umbrellas and serve food and drinks. If you are a light drinker, a pass covering unlimited drinks may cost more than paying for a lunch and a couple of drinks separately. Compare the pass price with what you would actually spend, as with any all-inclusive package.

Alternatives to a day pass

Several options deliver much of the resort-day feeling for less:

• Beach bars with loungers: Grand Anse and Morne Rouge have bars and restaurants that rent loungers and umbrellas and serve lunch and drinks.
• Lunch at a hotel restaurant: some hotels allow diners to use loungers or the beach area; ask when booking a table.
• Spa packages: booking a spa treatment at a resort sometimes includes pool access or lunch, which can be a good alternative to a pass.
• Public beaches: Magazine Beach, Morne Rouge, Grand Anse and La Sagesse in St David all offer swimming and space without any fee.
• Catamaran day trips: a west-coast sail with snorkelling, lunch and drinks can cost a similar amount and show more of the island.
• Booking a night: in quiet periods, a single night at a resort may cost not much more than two day passes and includes a room.

How to book a day pass

Because availability changes from week to week and terms differ between resorts, a little groundwork before the day avoids turning up to find passes sold out or the pool reserved for guests. Follow these steps to avoid disappointment:

1. Check whether the resort currently offers day passes, through its own channels or by contacting reservations directly.
2. Confirm the inclusions: restaurants, drinks, facilities, towels and any activities.
3. Ask about restrictions: age limits, ID, hours, dress codes and number caps.
4. Book in advance, particularly for weekends, holidays and cruise days, and get written confirmation.
5. Arrange transport both ways, with a clear pick-up time if returning to a ship or a villa.
6. Bring ID, swimwear, sunscreen, a cover-up for restaurants and a small amount of cash for tips where allowed.

Mistakes day visitors make

The most common mistake is assuming a pass can be bought at the gate. Some resorts do sell passes on arrival when they have space, but many require advance booking and will turn away visitors without a reservation, especially on cruise days and during the winter high season. Another frequent error is arriving with only beachwear. Restaurants at many resorts expect a cover-up or shirt at lunch, and stricter codes apply in the evening, so pack something light to wear over swimwear.

Cruise passengers sometimes leave too little margin for the journey back to the ship, forgetting that taxis must be arranged and that traffic into St George's can slow on busy afternoons. Agree a firm pick-up time with the driver and keep the ship's contact details to hand. Villa guests, meanwhile, occasionally pay for a full-day pass but arrive after lunch, getting little value from the food and drink element. Plan to arrive near the start time to make the most of the day, and check the sun and weather: a cloudy, showery day may be better spent elsewhere, with the pass saved for a brighter one if the terms allow.

Frequently asked questions